TUI has announced the expansion of its international leisure hotels business into Japan for the first time, with the newly-built TUI Suneo Otaru set to open in 2029.
“TUI Hotels & Resort’s entry into Japan underscores our long-term commitment to expanding holiday experiences in new destinations and engaging new customers, particularly across Asia,” said Sebastian Ebel, TUI Group CEO. “With increasing demand for travel to Japan among our tour operator and cruise guests, expanding into the hotel sector represents a natural evolution of TUI’s presence in the region.”
Peter Krueger, member of the TUI Group Executive Board and CEO Holiday Experiences, added: “The new addition in Otaru will become TUI Group’s easternmost hotel location to date. This signing marks just the beginning; we are actively exploring further opportunities to expand our footprintin Japan throughadditional locations and the launch of more TUI hotel brands.”
Located near JR Minami Otaru Station, TUI Suneo Otaru will beeasily accessible from Sapporo, just 35 minutes away by train. Guests will be within walking distance of Otaru’s most famous landmarks, including the Otaru Steam Clock Tower, the bustling Sakaimachi Shopping Street known for its handcrafted glassworks and local sweets, and the Otaru Canal, illuminated each evening by historical oil lamps. A picturesque port city in northern Japan, Otaru combines cultural heritage with year-round appeal. As one gateway to Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ expedition journeys, one of TUI’s cruise lines, the portoccasionally serves as both the point of departure and the welcoming return.
TUI Suneo Otaru will feature 50 well-designed rooms complemented by a welcoming lobby lounge, a restaurant, a bar, and a gym. Plans are already in place for future expansion, including additional rooms and public spaces to meet growing demand.The hotel will join TUI’s portfolio of over 400 leisure hotels and resorts worldwide. In Asia, the group hasestablished25 hotels across eight countries, with plans to more than double that number in the coming years.By the end of 2025, TUI continues to strengthen its presence with new hotel openings scheduled in Vietnam and China.
